Grace from my Guru
As always, I was very happy to be in the United States in the capitol Washington DC. The week had been rather difficult speaking with the political figures there, but I was particularly pleased with the progress we were making. I was very sleepy and yet no need for rest. My heart was full of happiness as I was nearing the completion of a most important teaching. It was very important for me to come to Washington to teach the importance of world peace. We must learn to show compassion towards others and also to learn the importance of cultivating a calm mind. It is with a calm mind that we become happy. Everyone wants a happy and meaningful life. I felt that in those two weeks I was able to teach the importance of calm mind and was happy with the result.
My advisors had told me earlier in the week that there was a bit of, how you say, upset or worry in the minds of some of the volunteers that they may not see me; they did not have a calm mind I think (laugh). I asked them to move my schedule for the morning so I could meet them. My advisors were not too pleased as they had to wake much earlier (laughing again). I could tell that my security and my advisors were very tired on that morning. I started poking them to wake them up (laughter). When we arrived at the Verizon center the car pulled straight into the building! I am so lucky to not have to walk; they must know I am an old lama.
We got out of the car and met with the head of the volunteers. I placed my hand on his head to calm his mind; so worried, so sort of – how you say- stressed. ‘Thank you’, I said to him and placed a special hand on his shoulder. I was so happy to see so many faces! I will not forget a single one. I noticed all of the different faces. So many young youthful faces and some old faces too. I told one woman there, ‘we are too old to work so hard.’ She laughed and agreed. It is difficult for me to not spend time with each volunteer. I like to know their stories. It is fascinating to me, interesting, to hear why they came to work and why are they so willing to help the mission of a simple Buddhist monk. I walked up a step to come to the center of all the faces. It was time for a picture. Such light. I felt such light with each individual there that day. If only I had more time…
I awoke out of a sound sleep to my phone going off. I grabbed it in a panic as it was my new friend Max. I was hoping it was the call I had been waiting for. “He’s allowed an audience!” she shouted. “Be there by 6:15!” I bolted out of bed. It was so early and the room was pitch black. My roommate awoke and asked if it was the call and I assured her it was. I hurried and put on the same clothes I had worn for two full weeks. Today was day 15 and I could not believe it was really the end. Once outside the hotel, the morning light was faint and soft. The sun was not yet out but the sky was beginning to fade from purple and pink to the soft blue of the morning sky. The street lights were still shining. It was early morning, the time of night when you feel like you should just be returning home from the bar. Too early to be out running and too late to still be in party mode.
In my rush to get to the Verizon center I hailed a cab. I had not realized that the subway did not run so early in the morning on Sunday. I could only hope the cab would show up and get me there on time. He arrived quickly and assured me he could reach Chinatown in time. As I sat in the cab, half-panicked and half-excited, I noticed my body. My legs were sore and even my buttocks from working the booth all day every day. I had put in 12-15 hour days each day I had been here. Hardly any rest from having to wake so early to take the subway in, I was exhausted and swollen. Finally, we arrived at the center and I ran in to the Volunteer lounge.
“Line up here!” shouted the volunteer coordinator. We waited rather impatiently as they led us into a separate space in the basement of the Verizon center where risers had been set up. They placed us all on the risers. All of us donning our blue Volunteer shirts and waiting anxiously to see Him. Secret service came into the room and stood in front of us. “Do not touch Him in any way or you will end up on the ground with one of us on top of you!” Although they were joking, we also knew they really were not.
As if by magic, suddenly there he was. The entire room filled with light. It was as though a bubble of clear liquid light had blown from his very heart and the fragments scattered all through the room. You could feel this pure clear light penetrate your skin, your cells and go deep into your DNA. Suddenly my heart was expanded, open and in a state of existence I had never known before. And His presence, it was so great, so large. From the stage he seemed so small, a simple Buddhist monk as he always put it. Here, in person he was tall, strong and I suddenly felt safe. Vulnerability melted into nothingness. Then he came towards me. He looked into my eyes as he stood right before me, acknowledging my presence.
He turned as it was time for the picture. I am not certain even now how the picture came with my eyes facing forwards. I was mesmerized by my Guru, here before me. Years of meditation and practice with teachings coming only in whispers during the silence or through a random internet post. He had a thousand ways to reach me every single day and yet I did not think I could reach him. And yet here I stood with my heart pressed against his robes. I could feel his strength and in my mind I could hear him tell me, ‘see I am always near,’ and laugh his infectious laugh that no one can imitate. It ended as quickly as it began. He was soon no longer in the room and we were off to our booths and to help setup for this last grand day. I have never received a greater gift.
By Lisa M Gunshore
